Gympie Cricket Legend Number 11 - Ian 'Chubby' O'Brien

Undoubtedly Ian 'Chubby' O'Brien was one of the most consistent run scorers in Gympie Cricket during a career with Colts Cricket Club that spanned from the 1970's through to the early 2000's. Chubby churned the runs out year after year with the familiar call 'come one' echoing around Albert Park every weekend. Chubby was renowned for scoring big hundreds and was a prize wicket for all of his opponents.

Name: Ian Alowishious O'Brien

Nickname: Chubb

A Grade Debut: 1977

Highest A Grade Scores: 225 v Valleys and 203 v Valleys 

Footnote: Josh Seaniger acknowledges he was lucky enough to play in both matches where Chubby tore Valley's (Gympie's dominant club in that era) to pieces with huge double centuries. He thinks that along with Nathan Nolan, Chubb is the only Colts player to have scored double hundreds in the past 30 years (if ever?). The 225 was one of the best knocks I have ever seen with terrific crickets shots rocketing of his bat all day. We were chasing 387 and got them by 5 o'clock. I remember it well because I was batting at 4 and Chubb, Steve O'Brien and Ken 'KJ' Johnston all went off and I finally went in to bat at 5.15 and got a first ball duck.

Highlight: 04/05 Grand final watching KJ bowl with 7 on the leg-side and he and Toddy fielding on the off-side and not touching the ball all day.

Funny Story: In Josh's opinion one of the more humorous stories during Chubb's career was the day Steve O'Brien (not known for his huge hitting) walked off at 5 pm drinks on 40 not out and saying he was going to go for his 100. Chubby roared laughter at his brother and said if you score a hundred this afternoon I will run around Albert Park naked next weekend. As Steve smashed the ball to bring up his hundred at 5.55pm Chubby was red faced and very quiet. Luckily for Chubb we had 20 inches of rain over the next five days and Albert Park was under 4 metres of water by the next weekend. Some say it was God sparing us.

Achievements: Chubb has too many achievements to list after winning numerous batting trophies from the GCA and Colts. He has also represented Gympie and the Sunshine Coast many times. However he did highlight two achievements. Scoring over 900 runs in a season (97/98) and winning the A Grade bowling average (yes folks this is a fact, not made up).

Favourite Sayings: COME ONE, XXXX Gold thanks and f##k off softy.

Favourite Song: Anything by Luiallan (don't know how to spell it).

Most Admired Gympie Cricketer: Craig Whittaker.